Wheel mounting means for dishwasher racks

ABSTRACT

Removable wheel mounting means for a dishwasher rack or the like. Each wheel mounting means comprises a wheel mount and a wheel rotatively affixed thereto. For each wheel mount there is provided a snap-acting means to removably affix the mount to the rack and means to prevent relative movement of the mount with respect to the rack.

United States Patent 1 Duncan et al.

[111 3,744,646 1 July 10, 1973 [54] WHEEL MOUNTING MEANS FOR 3,106,202l/l963 Arduna 312/350 UX DISHWASHER RACKS Eleafrfman etaall. 211/41 auman e a Inventors: g n; Sylvan fliers, 3,611,629 10/1971 Foley et al46/20] hot 0 onnersvi e, Ind. [73] Assignee: Design and ManufacturingFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Corporation, Connery/me, Inch 246,955/1966 Austria 211/162 [22] Filed: July 19, 1971 Primary Examiner-RamonS. Brltts l PP N05 163,830 Atturm' w-John W. Melville, (iihson R,Yungblul [52] US. Cl ..2l1/l62,2l1/41,2ll/151,

, 312/350 [57] ABSTRACT Removable wheel mounting means for a dishwasher211/41 rack or the like. Each wheel mounting means com- 332 1 16/45 6prises a wheel mount and a wheel rotatively affixed 1 308/38 thereto.For each wheel mount there is provided a snap-acting means to removablyaffix the mount to the rack and means to prevent relative movement ofthe [56] UNITE S S FZ T ES SZ TENTS mount with respect to the rack.3,261,647 7/1966 Stewart SOS/3.8 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I 31:1. II 1 M W 3 [will n [W |1l::/Il! lllllllu I gdmlflllllllle I I I I I f |;l;llllll\llllll u I 1 Hum I L1 4J; [lll I l ll 5a Hill ll l lll II [O lIllllllllllllllllllmm l llllll|llll\\ l 1 I l l l 1 l lulu HI: \I

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. 60 I V Q 4 74 I q 5 f e 0 V v 55 WHEEL MOUNTING MEANS FOR DISHWASHERRACKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Theinvention relates to wheel mounting means for the racks of dishwashingmachines and the like, and more particularly to mounting means wherebythe wheel may be readily removed from the rack and replaced.

2. Description of the Prior Art The wheel mounting means of the presentinvention may be utilized in conjunction with any sort of rack or drawermeans provided with appropriate U-shaped recesses. While not intended tobe so limited, the present invention will, for purposes of an exemplaryshowing, be described with respect to the mounting of wheels on wireracks of the type utilized in dishwashing machines.

In the usual practice, dishwasher racks are fabricated from a pluralityof wire elements arranged in grid-like fashion. Thus, a plurality ofwire elements in parallel spaced relationship will extend fromtherearward to the forward end of the rack. Similarly, a plurality ofwire elements in parallel spaced relationship will extend from side toside of the rack. Additional joining wire elements may be used, togetherwith further wire elements arranged to appropriately. support tableware.The entire assembly is coated with a plastic insulative material adaptedto prevent corrosion of the wire rack in the corrosion or rust promotingconditions encountered in a dishwashing machine.

Generally, a dishwashing machine is'provided with one or more tablewareracks. The racks have wheels mounted thereto which roll on appropriateways or tracks. As a result, the racks are shiftable between a positionwherein they are located fully within the dishwasher vat, and apositionwherein they are partially or fully withdrawn from the diswashervat through the vat opening, for purposes of loading or unloadingtableware.

Hitherto, the wheels have generally been riveted to the appropriate onesof the rack wire elements. The riveting operation frequently removessome of the protective plastic coating on the wire elements, subjectingthem to the possibility of corrosion. The riveting of the wheels to therack renders the wheel mounting substantially permanent. Thus, if awheel becomes broken or damaged, it can only be replaced withdifficulty, and in some instances it can not be replaced at all.

The mounting means of the present invention provides a much moreeconomical use of material. The initial assembly of the wheels on therack is much simplier and faster. Thewheels may be readily replaced inthe field and the mounting means does not damage the protective plasticcoating on the rack so that a common source of corrosion problems iseliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION cated. A wheel mounting means is provided foreach wheel. Each wheel mounting means comprisesa body portion with alaterally extending wheel axle. The

wheel is rotatively affixed to the axle. The mounting means body has aperipheral U-shaped groove adapted to engage with a U-shaped recess orloop of the rack.

Means may be provided whereby this engagement may be of the nature of asnap fit.

The wheel mounting means and the rack loops will be so oriented that theforces applied to the wheels by a load in the rack will tend to urge thewheel mounting means to their fully seated and engaged positions withthe rack loops. As will be shown hereinafter, this orientation may bevaried and the mounting means of the present invention may be applied toboth the upper and lower racks of a dishwashing machine. Finally, stopmeans may be incorporated withsome at least of the wheel mounting means,whereby movement of the rack is. limited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary rack incorporating thewheel mounting means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a loop of the rack of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the mounting means of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssection, of themounting means of the present invention with a wheel affixed thereto.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational. view of the mounting means of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mounting means of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a side wall of a dishwashervat with a slide for an upper rack affixed thereto.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an upper rack and aslide, illustrating the mounting means of the present invention. I

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line 99 of FIG.8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS .plurality of wire members 2through 9 in parallel spaced relationship. The parallel members 2through 9 extend from the rearward end to the forward end of the rackand have their ends upturned to form the forward and rearward rackwalls. A series of similar wire members 10 through 16 are oriented inparallel spaced rela tionship and extend from one side of the rack tothe other. Members 10 through 15 have upturned ends to define the sidewalls of the rack. Finally, a wire member 17' is affixed to the upturnedends of the members 2 through 15 and defines the upper edge of the rack.Additional wire members 18 may be provided in any suitable arrangementto appropriately support tableware within the rack.

Typically, such a rack is made of carbon steel wire of a size rangingfrom number 8 gauge to about number 11 gauge, and the various wiremembers are welded together. The completed rack is then dipped orotherwise coated with a tough, protective plastic to prevent corrosionor rust of the rack.

The number of wheels affixed to the rack does not constitute alimitation on the present invention. For purposes of an examplaryshowing, the rack 1 is illustrated as having four wheels on each side.Thus, the rack members 2 and 9 (constituting those members running fromthe rearward to the forward ends of the rack and lying nearest the sidesthereof) are each provided with four identical, inverted, U-shapedloops. The loops on the element 2 are indicated at 2a through 2d. Theloops on the element 9 are indicated at 9a through 9d. The loop 2a ofthe plastic coated rack member 2 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As indicatedabove, the remaining loops 2b through 2d and the loops 9a through 9d areidentical to that shown in FIG. 2.

In each of the loops-2a through 2d and 9a through 9d there is affixed awheel and wheel mounting means assembly. These wheel and wheel mountingmeans assemblies are identical and are generally indicated at 19.

The full wheel and wheel mounting means assembly 19 is illustrated inFIG. 4 and comprises the wheel mounting means 20 and the wheel 21. FIGS.3 through 6 are, respectively, a front elevational view, a sideelevational view, a rear elevational view and a plan view of the wheelmounting means 20.

The wheel mounting means 20 comprises a body 21 having a peripheralgroove 22 extending along the sides and top thereof. The groove 22 is ofinverted, U-shaped configuration and is so sized as to receive the loop2a of FIG. 2. The groove 22 defines a core 23 of the body 21 which isadapted to be received within the space between the legs of the loop 2aof FIG. 2.

At the upper end of the mounting means 20 there is a pair of extensions24 and 25. The facing surfaces of the extensions 24 and 25 have thereonprojections 24a and 25a, respectively. The distance between theprojections 24a and 25a is slightly less than the diameter of theplastic coated wire constituting the loop 2a. As will be describedhereinafter, this provides a snap fit between the mounting means 20 andthe rack loop.

The lower end of the body 21 of the mounting means 20 may be under cutas at 26 and 27, for a savings of material. The under cuts 26 and 27define a reinforcing rib 28.

At the lower end of the body 21 of the mounting means 20 there islocated a circular bearing surface 29. Centrally of the bearing surface29 there extends a shaft or axle 30 of circular cross section. As ismost clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the outermost end of the shaft 30is notched as at 31 to provide bifurcations 30a and 30b. The ends of thebifurcations 30a and 30b are provided with extensions 32 and 33respectively. As viewed from the side (FIG. 4) it will be noted that theextension 33 is of the same vertical dimension as is the bifurcation30b. However, as viewed from the top (FIG. 6) it will be noted that theextension 33 extends slightly beyond the bifurcation 30b to form a lipthereon. The same is true of the extension 32, with respect to itsbifurcation 30a. Thus, the extension 32 forms a lip on the bifurcation30a. As a consequence of this, it will be noted that the end of theshaft or axle 30 appears to be oval or eliptical (see FIG. 3) by virtueof the extensions 32 and 33.

The mounting means structure thus far described niay be made as anintegral, one-piece molded element any suitable, tough material capableof withstanding both water and heat as found within the vat of adishwasher. Nylon is a non-limiting, exemplary material which has beenfound to serve the purpose well.

Turning to FIG. 4, the wheel 21 may have any suitable peripheralconfiguration. For purposes of an exemplary showing, it is illustratedas having a simple, flat, annular surface 34. The wheel 21 has an axialbore 35 of circular cross section and of a diameter slightly larger thanthe diameter of the shaft or axle 30, so that when the wheel is mountedon the axle it will rotate freely. The wheel is shown as having aforward surface 36 and a rearward bearing surface 36a adapted tocooperate with the bearing surface 29 on the mounting means 20. Theaxial bore or perforation 35 is flared as at 37 near its juncture withthe bearing surface 36.

From the above description, it will be evident that the wheel may beaffixed to the mounting means 20 by simply forcing it onto the axle orshaft 30. The flared surface 37 on the wheel will tendv to cause thebifurcations 30a and 30b and their extensions 32 and 33 to move towardeach other. This will enable the extensions 32 and 33 to pass throughthe axial bore 35 of the wheel. Once the extensions 32 and 33 havepassed through the axial bore, they will return to their normal position(as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6). This will insure that the'lipformingextensions 32 and 33 on the axle 30 will cooperate with the forwardsurface 36 of the wheel 31 to captively hold the wheel 21 on the axle30. As in the case of the mounting means 20, the wheel 21 may be asimple, molded member of any suitable plastic material capable ofwithstanding the water and heat found in the dishwasher vat. Anexemplary but non-limiting material, which has been found to serve wellfor the molding of the wheels, is talc-filled polypropylene.

The wheel and wheel mounting means assembly 19 (FIG. 4) may be readilyaffixed to the loop 2a (FIG. 2) either by machine or by hand. It is onlynecessary to shove the mounting means 20 upwardly into the loop 2a untilthe loop becomes seated within the groove 22 of the .mounting means body21. The projections 24a and 250 are so configured that during theassembly procedure they will first be spread apart so that the adjacentportion of the loop 2a may pass therebetween. Once the loop 2a is fullyseated in the groove 22, the projections will return to their normalposition, as shown in FIG. 4, and will serve to maintain the mountingmeans 20 withinthe loop 2a with a snap fit. It will be understood by oneskilled in the art thatthe remaining wheel and wheel mounting meansassemblies will be affixed to the rack 1 (FIG. 1) in an identicalmanner. The wheel and mounting means assembly 19 may be remove from therack loop by simply pulling downwardly on it. The projections 24a and25a will again be spread apart by the loop to permit passage of theadjacent part of the loop therebetween.

The rack assembly of FIG. 1 may be considered to be either an upper rackor a lower rack of a dishwashing machine. When used as an upper rack,appropriate rails or the like will be located on the sides of thedishwasher vat to enable to the rack to be shifted at least part waythrough the vat opening so that it may be loaded or unloaded withtableware. When used as a lower rack, the wheels will ride on tracks orledges formed in the vat wall. It is conventional, for example, to havethe lower rack roll from such ledges .or tracks onto to the insidesurface of the vat door when the door has been lowered to asubstantially horizontal position. When the rack is moved to itsposition on the inside surface of the door, it will be substantiallycompletely withdrawn from the vat and may be readily loaded and unloadedwith tableware.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate how the mounting means of the presentinvention may be modified both as to configuration and orientation.These Figures illustrate the use of the wheel mounting means of thepresent invention in an embodiment for the mounting of an upperdishwasher rack.

FllG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the vat sidewall 38 and a portion of the vat rear wall 39. A pair of wheels 40 and41 are rotatively affixed to the vat wall 38. Referring to FIG. 9, itwill be seen that the wheel 40 is affixed to the vat wall 38 by amachine screw 42, or the like, passing through an axial bore in thewheel 40, a perforation in the vat wall and a threaded perforation in abrace member 43 on the other side of the vat wall. It will be understoodthat the wheel.41 will be affixed in the same manner.

A slide 44 is shown in FIG. 7 captively mounted on the wheels 40 and 41.As is shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, the slide has an upper pair oflongitudinal ribs 45 and 46 located on either side of the slide and alower pair of longitudinally extending ribs 47 and 48, again located oneither side of the slide.

Between the pairs of ribs, the slide is provided with two longitudinallyextending slots 49 and 50. Referring to FIG. 9, it will be noted thatthe wheel 40 has an annular groove 40a having a diameter slightly lessthan the height of the groove 50. The peripheral portions of the wheel40 on either side of the annular groove 40a have diameters greater thanthe height of the groove 50. It will be understood that the relationshipbetween the wheel 41 and the groove 49 will be the same. Thus, theslideis captively and shiftably held to the side 38 of the vat by thewheels 40 and 41. I The slide 44 is shiftable between a position whereinit is totally within the vat and a position wherein it extends partiallyout of the vat through the vat opening (not shown). The innermostposition of the slide (i.e., that position wherein it most nearlyapproaches the rear vat wall 39) will be determined by the abutment ofthe wheels 40 and 41 with the forwardmost ends of their respective slots50 and 49. The forwardmost or extended position of the slide 44 (iLe.,that position furthest from the rear vat wall 39) will be determined bythe abutment of wheels 40 and 41 with the rearwardmost ends of theirrespective slots 50 and 49.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that a second slide,identical to slide 44, will be mounted on the other side wall of the vat(not shown) in an identical manner by means of a pair of wheelssimilarto the wheels 40 and 41. The two slides are intended to serve asintermediate extensible members or tracks upon which the upper rack willride,so that the upper rack may be substantially completely withdrawnfrom the dishwasher vat (while still mounted on the tracks) for purposesof loading and unloading tableware therefrom. 1

FIG. 8 illustrates the manner in which the upper rack is mounted on itsslides. FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view ofthe upper rack(generally indicated at i 51) and shows only the rear portion of theupper rack.

the upper rack is made up of a plurality of wire elements extending fromside to side in parallel spaced relationship. Some of these wireelements are shown at 52 through 55. The rack has a series of additionalwire elements extending from its rear end to its forward end in parallelspaced relationship. One of these last mentioned wire elements is shownat 56. In addition, a wire element is illustrated at 57 which forms theupper edge of the rack. Finally, there is a wire element 58 extendingalong the side of the upper raclk and positioned between the upper andlower edge of the rack side.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the structure ofthe upper rack 51 is exemplary only. The,

precise construction of the rack does not constitute a limitation on thepresent invention.

The wire element 58 has, near the rear end of the rack, a pair of loops58a and 58b. These loops are identical to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.It will be noted, however, that the loop 580 extends upwardly and'theloop 58b extends downwardly.

The loop 58a has engaged therein a wheel mounting means 59 which differsfrom that described with respect to FIGS. 3 through 6 in only onerespect. At the. bottom end of the mounting means 59 there is anextension 60 terminating in a laterally extending stop member 61. Thepurpose of this stop member will be described hereinafter. Otherwise,the mounting means 59 has a bearing surface 62 identical to the bearingsur face 29 of the mounting means 20 of FIGS. 3 through 6. It furtherhas an axle, generally indicated at 63, which is identical to the axleof'the mounting means 20. Finally, it has a groove 64 equivalent to thegroove 22 and a pair of spaced extensions 65 and 66 equivalent to theextensions 24 and 25 of the mounting means 20 and adapted to serve thesame purpose. The mounting means 59 rotatively supports a wheel 67,which is affixed thereto in precisely the same manner shown in FIG. 4.The wheel 67 differs from the wheel 21 of FIG. 4 in that its peripheralsurface has an annular depression 68 located centrally thereof, so thatthe wheel can straddle the upper edge of the slide 44.

FIG. 8 further illustrates a mounting means 69 engaged in the loop 58b.The mounting means 69 is identical to the mounting means 59 androtatively supports a wheel 70 which may be identical. to the wheel 67.The

wheel 70 is adapted to straddle the lower edge of the i slide 44. Themounting means 69' has an extension 71 with a' transversely extendingstop 72, identical to the extension 60 and stop 61 of the mounting means59.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the rack 51 willhave on its other side (not shown) a wire element equivalent to, but amirror image of, the wire element 58. This equivalent wire element willsupport I a pair of mounting means identical to the mounting means 59and 60. These last mentioned mounting means will support wheels adaptedto engage the slide (not shown) mounted on the opposite side of thedishwasher vat.

From the above description, it will be evident that the upper rack 51will be shiftable with respect to the slides upon which it is mounted.The slides, in turn, will be shiftable with respect to the vat. Thiscombination of elements will permit the upper rack to be moved between aposition wherein it is wholly within the dishwasher vat and apositionwherein it is substantially wholly outside the dishwasher vat, havingpassed through the vat door. i

As is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the slide 44 isprovided with an upwardlyextending abutment 73 at its rearward end and a downwardlyextendingabutment 74 at its forward end. The rearwardmost position ofthe upper rack 51, with respect to the slide 44, will be determined bythe coaction of the abutment 73 and the stop 72 on the mounting means69. The forwardmost position of the upper rack 51, with respect to theslide 44, will be determined by the interaction of the slide abutment 74and the stop 61 on the mounting means 59. It will be understood that theother slide (not shown) will be provided with similar abutment means,which will cooperate with stop means on those mounting means (not shown)affixed to the other side of the rack. In addition, the' stop means 61and 72 on the mounting means 59 and 69 will assure that the rack 51 cannot be inadvertently disengaged from the slide 44. The same, of course,will be true with respect to the slide on the other side of the rack.Thus, the stops 72 and 61 serve to trap the slide within thewheel-bracket assemblies. If the rack were lifted as it was being slidout, there would be a chance for disengagement of the wheel 67 from theslide. Also, if excessive weight were placed in the front of the rack,the rear wheel 70 could be lifted off the slide. in either case, sidemovement of the rack would then cause the wheels to be derailed withunsatisfactory results. The stops 72 and 61 prevent this from happening.

The mounting means 59 and 60 will have all of the advantages describedwith respect to the mounting means of FIGS. 3 through 6. The manner inwhich the mounting means are affixed to the upper rack 51, or removedtherefrom for replacement purposes, will be identical to'that describedwith respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from thespirit of it. 1

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu- .sive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A removable wheel assembly for use on the rack of a dishwashingmachine or the like, said wheel assembly comprising a wheel mount and awheel rotatably afflxed thereto, said rack having a U-shaped recess atthe position on said rack where said wheel assembly is to be mounted,said wheel mount comprising a body, said body having a first and secondsides and top, bottom and side edges, grooves extending along said sideedges and said top edge being bifurcated to form a peripheral U-shapedgroove along said side and top edges, means at said top edge releasablyengaging said body in said recess and preventing relative movement ofsaid wheel mount body with respect to said rack recess, axle meansextending laterally of said first side of said wheel mount body and saidwheel being rotatively mounted on said axle means.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said wheel mount is aunitary, one-piece molded member.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the free end of said axle isbifurcated, said bifurcations having flanges thereon, said wheel havingan axial bore of a diameter slightly greater than said axle, saidbifurcations being deformable toward each other and said flanges beingso sized as to pass through said axial bore in said i wheel when saidbifurcations are deformed toward each other, whereby said wheel may beforced onto said axle and retained thereon by said flanges when saidflanges have passed through said bore.

4. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said means to releasablyengage said body in said recess is a snap-acting means comprising a partof said unitary, one-piece molded member.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said rack is made up of aplurality of coated wire elements, said recess comprising a U-shapedloop in a selected one of said wire elements.

6. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said means to releasablyengage said body in said recess is a snap-acting means comprising saidbifurcations at said top edge of said mount said bifurcations beingresilient, the free ends of said bifurcations being spaced from eachother by a distance less than the diameter of said coated wire of saidloop, whereby when said mount is engaged in said loop said ends of saidbifurcations will be forced over the base portion of said U-shaped loopand provide a snap engagement of said mount therewith.

7. In a dishwasher of the type having a vat with a bottom, a top, a rearwall, side walls, a front wall with an access opening and at least onerack for tableware, an elongated slide mounted on each side wall, saidslides being shiftable between a retracted position wholly within saidvat and a forward position wherein said I slides extend part way throughsaid access opening,

each of said slides having a top edge, a bottom edge and forward andrearward ends, a pair of wheels on each side of said rack, a wheel mountfor each of said wheels, each of said wheels rotatively affixed to itsrespective mount, said rack having a U-shaped recess at the position onsaid rack where each of said wheels is to be mounted, each of said Wheelmounts comprising a body having aperipheral U-shaped groove, each ofsaid wheel mount bodies being configured to be engaged in its respectiveone of said rack recesses with the peripheral portion of said recessbeing received in said wheel mount body groove, a snap-acting means toremovably retain each of said mounts in its respective rack recess andto prevent relative movement of said mounts with respect to theirrespective rack recesses, one wheel of each pair engaging said upperedge of the adjacent one of said slides, the other wheel of each pairengaging said bottom edge of the adjacent one of said slides, said rackbeing movable on said slides between a position wherein said rack islocated substantially wholly between said slides and a position whereina portion at least of said rack extends beyond said forward ends of saidslides, whereby the movement of said slides with respect to said sidewalls and the movement of said rack on said slides render said rackshiftable between a position wholly within said vat and a positionsubstantially wholly outside said vat.

8. The structure claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said mountscomprises a unitary, one-piece molded member.

9. The structure claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said slides has anabutment means at its forward end and an abutment means at its rearwardend, each of said mounts having an elongated extension with a stop meansthereon, the stop means of each wheel mount being so positioned as tocooperate with the adjacent one of the abutments on its respectiveslide, whereby to define said two positions of said rack on said slides.

10. The structure claimed in claim 6 including a plurality of said wheelassemblies, said rack having a numits respective one of said rack loops.III 4K 4K

1. A removable wheel assembly for use on the rack of a dishwashingmachine or the like, said wheel assembly comprising a wheel mount and awheel rotatably affixed thereto, said rack having a U-shaped recess atthe position on said rack where said wheel assembly is to be mounted,said wheel mount comprising a body, said body having a first and secondsides and top, bottom and side edges, grooves extending along said sideedges and said top edge Being bifurcated to form a peripheral U-shapedgroove along said side and top edges, means at said top edge releasablyengaging said body in said recess and preventing relative movement ofsaid wheel mount body with respect to said rack recess, axle meansextending laterally of said first side of said wheel mount body and saidwheel being rotatively mounted on said axle means.
 2. The structureclaimed in claim 1 wherein said wheel mount is a unitary, one-piecemolded member.
 3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the free endof said axle is bifurcated, said bifurcations having flanges thereon,said wheel having an axial bore of a diameter slightly greater than saidaxle, said bifurcations being deformable toward each other and saidflanges being so sized as to pass through said axial bore in said wheelwhen said bifurcations are deformed toward each other, whereby saidwheel may be forced onto said axle and retained thereon by said flangeswhen said flanges have passed through said bore.
 4. The structureclaimed in claim 2 wherein said means to releasably engage said body insaid recess is a snap-acting means comprising a part of said unitary,one-piece molded member.
 5. The structure claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid rack is made up of a plurality of coated wire elements, said recesscomprising a U-shaped loop in a selected one of said wire elements. 6.The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said means to releasably engagesaid body in said recess is a snap-acting means comprising saidbifurcations at said top edge of said mount said bifurcations beingresilient, the free ends of said bifurcations being spaced from eachother by a distance less than the diameter of said coated wire of saidloop, whereby when said mount is engaged in said loop said ends of saidbifurcations will be forced over the base portion of said U-shaped loopand provide a snap engagement of said mount therewith.
 7. In adishwasher of the type having a vat with a bottom, a top, a rear wall,side walls, a front wall with an access opening and at least one rackfor tableware, an elongated slide mounted on each side wall, said slidesbeing shiftable between a retracted position wholly within said vat anda forward position wherein said slides extend part way through saidaccess opening, each of said slides having a top edge, a bottom edge andforward and rearward ends, a pair of wheels on each side of said rack, awheel mount for each of said wheels, each of said wheels rotativelyaffixed to its respective mount, said rack having a U-shaped recess atthe position on said rack where each of said wheels is to be mounted,each of said wheel mounts comprising a body having a peripheral U-shapedgroove, each of said wheel mount bodies being configured to be engagedin its respective one of said rack recesses with the peripheral portionof said recess being received in said wheel mount body groove, asnap-acting means to removably retain each of said mounts in itsrespective rack recess and to prevent relative movement of said mountswith respect to their respective rack recesses, one wheel of each pairengaging said upper edge of the adjacent one of said slides, the otherwheel of each pair engaging said bottom edge of the adjacent one of saidslides, said rack being movable on said slides between a positionwherein said rack is located substantially wholly between said slidesand a position wherein a portion at least of said rack extends beyondsaid forward ends of said slides, whereby the movement of said slideswith respect to said side walls and the movement of said rack on saidslides render said rack shiftable between a position wholly within saidvat and a position substantially wholly outside said vat.
 8. Thestructure claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said mounts comprises aunitary, one-piece molded member.
 9. The structure claimed in claim 8wherein each of said slides has an abutment means at its forward end andan abutment means at its rearward end, Each of said mounts having anelongated extension with a stop means thereon, the stop means of eachwheel mount being so positioned as to cooperate with the adjacent one ofthe abutments on its respective slide, whereby to define said twopositions of said rack on said slides.
 10. The structure claimed inclaim 6 including a plurality of said wheel assemblies, said rack havinga number of said U-shaped loops equal to the number of said wheelassemblies and located at positions where said wheel assemblies are tobe mounted on said rack, the wheel mount body of each assembly beingengaged in its respective one of said rack loops.